From Deseret News archives:
Iraq vet says U.S. needs to focus on Afghanistan
He came away from Iraq feeling like the military effort there had been accomplished and that the rebuilding work, although essential, was not the military's job. "They need good, clean water, good electricity. But these are not the jobs of tank gunners and Bradley drivers and artillerymen," he said. U.S. forces, he believes, need to be in Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan is where the real fight is, the guys that really attacked us on 9/11. We have 360,000 Americans tied up in Iraq. It's all of our resources, all of our money."
LeJeune said he would "love to see a withdrawal from Iraq and a real focus on Afghanistan, Pakistan, what have you," he said. "The forgotten war there is still raging and they don't have the resources because we're tied up in Iraq."
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida "have gained strength, as we pulled resources from Afghanistan. Not only has this war devastated our national security, but it has devastated the people of Utah."
He has since traveled to Washington, D.C., lobbying senators and congressmen on veterans issues. "You've got a lot of congressmen out there that don't have any idea, really, what's going on," he said.
LeJeune said he joined the Army in 1998 as an infantryman. He left active duty in June 2002 and joined the Utah Army National Guard, where he deployed with the 1457th Engineer Combat Battalion in February 2003.
E-mail: sfidel@desnews.com
Recent comments
This soldier is absolutely correct. Iraq has distracted this country...
Andrew | March 24, 2008 at 4:32 p.m.
It's great to finally have somebody really talking about the problems...
Rabid Rodent | March 19, 2008 at 10:13 a.m.
- Sands China stock tumbles in debut 9:21 a.m.
- Vegas pinning hopes on CityCenter 9:20 a.m.
- Saab CEO courting buyers in Detroit 9:19 a.m.
- Court won't disturb $82M award 9:18 a.m.
- Rumor: Papers paid to shun Google 9:17 a.m.
- Gov't pressures mortgage industry 9:15 a.m.
- Salvation Army kettle stolen 9:05 a.m.
- Charges filed in ATM theft 9:05 a.m.
- Army teams nurture mental health 9:04 a.m.
- Man suspected of killing family 9:04 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- BYU is champion of the state
- Boy shot following traffic stop
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
877 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
477 - Max Hall issues apology
269 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
143 - BYU is champion of the state
138 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
119 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
80 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Max Hall... you have one more game left in your career unless you head to...
It's nice to see Utah's ACORN office doing something nice for families this...
Lets just assume for the sake of discussion that you believe in the...
Good thing they chose not to respond. They have no right to complain and no...
'Army (sic) nutures mental health' - title Better late than never....
Its time our two Universities let some so called fans know that their...
You: "Doctors have been forced to perform elective abortions." WRONG Most...
Max, I have admired you through your football career. You are a fantastic...
The international community needs to come together on this. No negotiation....
@Mike Richards | 3:33 a.m. Nov. 30, 2009 "There cannot be 'pushback' from...



